Monsters & Nekkid Ladies

Our first VOLTCASE.co.uk feature of the year is with "Monsters & Nekkid Ladies" fantasy artist Adam Black. We think his artwork kicks ass, so read what he has to say to us here, check out the pretty pics below, and then check out his website here. Or you could just pop over to his MySpace page here. Either way, check it out!

How are you?
Can't complain. It's a new year, and while 2006 was kind of a bitch, 2007 and I have an understanding--I threatened to kick him in the junk if he didn't cooperate. We'll see if he holds up his end of things.

If you were talking to a stranger, how would you describe yourself in three words:
I draw stuff.

As its the January edition of Voltcase, have you made any New Years resolutions for 2007?
Just one. A good friend of mine, DJ Coffman, is currently working on a kick-ass comic book called "Hero By Night", and watching him go through the process made me want to pick up comics again. I was a comic artist briefly, during the glut in the mid-Nineties, and put it down about two years after I started. DJ just looked like he was having too much fun, so I figured I'd give it another go.

I'm going to be rewriting the old book a bit; polishing it up as well as I can. And, thanks to Photoshop, it'll be in color this time. So far, it's been a blast.

What was the worst thing to happen in 2006?
For me, pretty much the whole year. In general, though? Too many people dying in Iraq.

DC or Marvel?
In my youth, Marvel. John Buscema, Jack Kirby, Ernie Chan...the list goes on. Those guys taught me to draw, and I couldn't've asked for better teachers, although I'm still nowhere near their league.

As I'm getting older, though, I'd have to say DC. Especially Preacher, which is the greatest comic book written in the last 20 years, I swear.

I gotta say that I enjoy British comics, too, when I can get my hands on them. Slaine is brilliant stuff.

Who are your biggest influences, and / or who do you admire the most?
Artistically, I look up to a lot of people. Buscema, Kirby, Brom, Frazetta, Glenn Fabry, Steve Dillon, Frank Miller, Robert Williams...I could go on all day, but at this point, I'm even boring myself.

The one thing I admire most in others is honesty, I think.

On the other hand, who is the worst human being on the planet?
Anyone who forces his beliefs--whether they be religious, political, economic or even personal--on others.

Comic conventions: a great way for artists to meet the fans, or a hell hole full of geeks who should know better?
A delightful mish-mash of both, I've noticed. But I haven't been to a con in quite a while.

Whats the best thing about being invovled in comic art?
It's a little like making movies, only a hell of a lot cheaper. And it's an artform that's understood almost instinctively by just about everybody. Mostly, though, it's just a hell of a lot of fun.

So which do you prefer: monsters or naked women?
Fortunately, our ancestors came up with the idea of the succubus, so I don't really have to choose--they are, after all, a monster and a nekkid lady all rolled into one. Like so: click!

Thank you, ancestors. God bless you all.

Ever worked with someone that you admired before you worked with them? If not, who would you like to work with?
Yes, I have, in fact. I've been fortunate enough to work with Stephan Michael Sechi, the creator of the Talislanta RPG. He's a hell of a nice guy. We're working on something right now, but it's a secret. ;)

As for who I'd like to work with...right now, I'm happy to be doing my own thing for a change. I've spent the last ten years drawing what's in other people's heads, and it's way past time to start drawing what's in mine again.

If you joined the circus, what act would you most want to perform?
I'd like to be part of the freak show, definitely. Especially if it meant that I could hang out with Jim Rose. He seems like a fun dude.

Alcoholic tipple of choice?
Jack and Coke, with Dos Equis a close second.

Why should the the lazy general public make the effort to check you out, and what have you got planned for the coming year?
All I have planned this year is the comic book, which is going to be a horror comic. I'm not gonna say that I'm "redefining horror and blah blah blah", but I'm definitely gonna twist horror's nipple a little, and I think the resulting yelps might be enjoyable to listen to.

I'm also hoping that those people who only know me from my Tal and Blue Planet illustrations will enjoy getting a look at what's been dancing around in my head all this time. But I guess we'll see, won't we?

Either way, I'm planning on having fun. If others want to come along for the ride, I'll be glad to have ya. There's plenty of room, and the tank's full. I'll drive.

And finally..... what does the word 'Voltcase' mean?
The word brings to mind someone who's addicted to tasers. God knows they're out there; I've seen plenty on YouTube. And I'd like to say that you're all truly magnificent bastards. Keep up the good work!